aetiology

Last reviewed 01/2018

Most commonly, viral conjunctivitis is due to adenovirus infection. Many serotypes may be involved. Types 3, and sometimes, 4 and 7, are responsible for pharyngoconjunctival fever - conjunctivitis associated with upper respiratory tract infection. Types 8 and 19 are frequent findings in viral keratoconjunctivitis.

• coxsackie A24, Enterovirus 70 - cause acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis (1)
• other causes include herpes simplex and varicella-zoster
• uncommon causes include (1) include molluscum contagiosum, vaccinia, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• systemic infection with influenza virus, Epstein-Barr virus, Newcastle virus, measles, rubella, and mumps, may also cause conjunctivitis, associated with features of an upper respiratory tract infection

Reference:

1. J Neurovirol. 2005 Oct;11(5):424-33.